Russia and China build stronger ties

Russian President Vladimir Putin is to visit China for three days to talk up energy and foreign policy cooperation with its neighbor following their side-by-side veto on a UN Security Council Resolution on Syria, which left the West frustrated.

President Putin’s visit follows a cancelled visit to the US and talks with EU president, Herman Van Rompuy, and is aimed at “finding common message on which we agree”. Putin made a point that Russia will not abandon its Soviet-era ally.

The talks between the two giant neighbors hope to set aside border conflicts from the past, moving towards building stronger cooperation on foreign policy. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Russia considers China’s foreign policy compatible to its own. Energy cooperation is still in the works after negotiations on the prices failed to push the agreements forward. One reported deal includes the possibility of a joint project on long-haul aircraft.

Putin will meet President Hu Jintao to introduce next-in-line Chinese leaders in Beijing. He will also meet with leaders from Afghanistan and Iran separately.